Refugees International Joins NGOs in Voicing Opposition to Redirecting Funds from Northern Triangle Countries
On June 24, 2019, Refugees International joined InterAction and over 70 other NGOs in releasing a statement in response to the redirection of funds from the Northern Triangle countries of El Salvador, Guatemala, and Honduras as officially restated by the Department of State on June 17, 2019.
Distressing levels of gang and gender-based violence along with worsening poverty and hunger are displacing thousands of people in the Northern Triangle. Eliminating poverty-focused U.S. government funded assistance to the area and abandoning poor and vulnerable communities is counterproductive, short-sighted, and results in increased irregular migration.
Empowering the most vulnerable reflects the best values of the American character and is essential to global human security.
We urge Congress to pass legislation now to prevent these cuts and protect future funding for the region. This ensures that the U.S. continues to play a leadership role in supporting communities and addressing the root causes of irregular migration in the region.